Trees in Urban design
By: Henry Arnold.
Edition: 2nd ed.
Publisher: Van Nostrand Reinhold
Published: 1992
Place of publication: New York, NY
Language: eng
Number of pages: 197
Subjects: Urban beautification; Trees in the cities
Description: Reflecting the belief that urban life requires an "escape," city parks have long been designed in imitation of pastoral surroundings. Henry F. Arnold challenges this tired romantic style that disregards the urban environment - and shows how trees can be used to enhance urban elements rather than hide them. He encourages landscape architects and city planners to utilize trees, not as decoration, but as living building materials to create and reinforce urban spaces.

The revised Second Edition adds practical value to the work, answering many of the questions that were raised as a result of the original volume. Trees in Urban Design, Second Edition, concentrates two new chapters on the more utilitarian issues of urban tree planting. Chapter Six deals substantively with the significant changes in urban tree-planting techniques that have evolved since the original edition was printed.

Chapter Seven deals with the revolution in urban forestry that has taken place during this same period, the economics of urban tree planting, and the essential government role in this immensely important work. In this way, the book has become more instructive and, therefore, more useful as a source of information.

After a brief historical sketch of urban tree use, Arnold takes a broad look at American cities and establishes a fresh design approach based on classical principles. In contrast to the scattered use of trees, he advocates the collective use of trees in groves, rows, and symmetrical units, and explains aesthetic principles used in grouping trees in a variety of settings.

To emphasize the most important design considerations in choosing a type of tree, the branch structures of prototypical trees not in leaf are displayed in over 200 drawings and photographs. The same examples are repeated in a variety of contexts to demonstrate the effect of different design principles.

The book explains why the science of plant ecology is of limited value in formulating rules for planting trees in cities. It clarifies the need to reevaluate the claims made for ecology in an urban context. Obstacles to effective tree plantings - such as municipal policies - are discussed, along with ways to change these obstacles into opportunities for better urban design and increased tree plantings. The book also suggests a realistic method of budgeting for tree planting and maintenance.

Trees in Urban Design, Second Edition, provides bold, practical solutions to important problems of economics, planning, and maintenance of urban planting, and offers effective programs to raise urban tree management to its essential place in the urban megastructure. Reinforcing the view of the city as the nucleus of human culture, this "groundbreaking" book is essential reading for architects and city planners.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index.